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The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security announced a temporary measure permitting certain expatriate residents to return to the UAE without first securing a fresh entry permit. According to a report in Qatar Peninsula on March 12, 2026, the policy targets those whose residency visas lapsed while overseas and who faced barriers from ongoing regional security developments that led to airspace restrictions and halted flights. The window for this exemption extends from Feb. 28 to March 31, 2026, allowing affected individuals to re-establish their legal status upon arrival without incurring fines.
Global Media Insight research places the expatriate population in the UAE at 10.24 million in 2026, representing 88.5 percent of the total 11.57 million residents. This scale highlights the potential reach of the policy across the labor force that underpins multiple economic sectors. The ICP’s latest decision provides practical relief during a period of disruption.
The policy applies to residents whose permits expired on or after Feb. 28, 2026, provided they were unable to return earlier because of the documented travel interruptions. Upon re-entry, individuals must comply with standard immigration checks and proceed to renew their residency through approved channels. Immigration experts have noted that such measures reduce unnecessary burdens on both residents and the administrative system.
In 2024 the ICP had introduced a two-month window for foreigners with expired permits to regularize their status or depart the country without penalty. A Fragomen immigration analysis published in January 2025 detailed how that earlier grace period formed part of broader efforts to address irregular residency cases. The measure followed a pattern of targeted accommodations when external factors impede normal travel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE cabinet extended visa validities for those stranded abroad to prevent widespread status disruptions among the expatriate population. Similar steps have appeared in subsequent years whenever regional conditions warranted intervention. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has long reported more than 200 nationalities present in the country.
Indians form the largest foreign community followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and other groups, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs figures. These communities have remained integral to the UAE’s growth trajectory across key industries. The ICP has indicated that standard requirements for a new entry permit will apply after the March 31 deadline.
